Alphonzo Bell, Jr. (1914-2004) was a United States Congressman who represented the 27th and 28th Congressional Districts -
which encompassed the communities of Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Bel Air, and West Los Angeles - between 1961
and 1977. Materials within the collection date from the 1930s to the 1980s and document Bell's political career.

Background

Alphonzo Edward Bell, Jr., son of Alphonzo Edward Bell, Sr. and Minnewa Shoemaker, was born on September 19, 1914 in Los Angeles,
California. He was born into a pioneering California family, whose ranching and real estate interests in Los Angeles and San
Diego counties date back to the late 1800s. Bell's grandfather, James George Bell, was a cattle rancher who developed the
present-day communities of Bell and Bell Gardens and was instrumental in the founding of Occidental College. Bell's father,
Alphonzo Bell, Sr., was an oil magnate who invested his profits in the development of Santa Fe Springs and several upscale
communities in Los Angeles' Westside, including Bel Air, parts of Beverly Hills, Westwood, and Pacific Palisades. Bell Jr.
grew up on his father's cattle ranch, which was located near the present day community of Bel Air.

Extent

202.0 Linear feet
202 boxes

Restrictions

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.